5.8.5

Embedded adapters create resources through manual or auto-discovery. A particular embedded adapter
might support one or both resource creation methods.
Manual discovery
You send a request to the data source to return all available resources and
select the resources to add. This method is often referred to as discovering
resources or the discovery process.
Auto-discovery
The data collection process discovers new resources and creates the
resources for you. You do not need to manually add new resources.
You configure and manage embedded adapters in the user interface.
External Adapters
External adapters push data from outside sources. The key advantage of an external adapter is flexibility in
how the adapter is created and deployed.
External adapters use vCenter Operations Manager OpenAPI to send information. OpenAPI has a simple
form, which accepts data through an HTTP request, and an advanced form, which uses Java RMI.
External adapters use auto-discovery to create resources. With auto-discovery, the data collection process
discovers new resources and creates the resources for you. You do not need to manually add new resources.
You configure and manage external adapters outside of the user interface.
Defining Adapter Instances
An adapter instance defines the type of adapter to use to connect to a particular data source. It also defines
the information that is required to identify and access that data source. A vCenter Operations Manager
administrator must define an adapter instance for each data source that uses an embedded adapter.
NOTE You do not define adapter instances for external adapters. External adapters push data from outside
sources to vCenter Operations Manager. You manage external adapters outside of the core
vCenter Operations Manager domain.
An adapter instance definition typically includes the data access method and a host, port, and credential.
The exact information in a particular adapter instance definition depends on the type of adapter.
An adapter instance can have one or more credentials. You can add credentials before you create an adapter
instance and select the correct credential when you define the adapter instance, or you can add credentials
when you define the adapter instance.
After you define an adapter instance, you can discover and define resources for it.
View the List of Defined Credentials
Before you add, edit, or modify credentials for an adapter instance, you must list the defined credentials for
the specific adapter kind and credential kind combination.
Procedure
1 Select Environment > Configuration > Credentials.
2 Select the adapter kind to list credentials for from the Adapter kind drop-down menu.
3 Select the kind of credentials to list from the Credential kind drop-down menu.
The available credential kinds depend on the adapter kind. For example, if you select Hyperic Adapter,
the credential kind that you select might be Hyperic database credentials.
Existing instances appear for the credential kind that you select.
VMware vCenter Operations Manager Administration Guide
14 VMware, Inc.